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SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2007
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Trend Alert:
MONT YARDS
BECOME THE
NEW BACK YARD
Maxing out all available space and enhancing
curb appeal is the name of the real estate
game these days. And, while the back yard is
home to most large-scale entertaining, the front yard
is starting to see its share of activities once reserved
for back yard play. “People want to watch the kids,
welcome guests and converse with neighbors, so the
front yard has become a social destination,” according
to home improvement expert Lou Manfredini.
A few ideas to make the
best use of your front yard:
■ Create a focal point for small gatherings and
conversation with an intimate front patio made
of bricks or stones laid in an interesting pattern.
Consider connecting the patio to your driveway
or even your porch, so it blends well with the
rest of your landscaping.
IB Create privacy as well as atmosphere by lining
the edges of the new front patio with a variety
of tall and short plantings. Be sure to include
appropriate outdoor lighting in order to add
ambiance and functionality to the space once
the sun sets.
■ Set up a small casual seating area with a deco
rative table and comfortable chairs, so guests
feel welcome before they .even enter the home.
■ Consider a fountain even one created from a
favorite glazed pot -as the sound of water is
soothing and helps to mute street noise.
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LIFESTYLE
HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL
FAMILY FEATURES
Outdoor living spaces have become one of
the most popular renovation and home
building projects in recent years. A record
number of homeowners are transforming
simple decks, patios and even bare grass lots into
year-round rooms. In fact, a recent U.S. Census
Bureau report revealed more than one-third of the
$ 150 billion spent on home remodeling is dedicated
to outdoor living areas.
“Outdoor rooms continue to be popular because
they combine two of our favorite pastimes enter
taining and relaxation,” says Lou Manfredini, Ace
Hardware’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and one of
the nation’s leading home improvement experts and
authors.
And, it’s about this time of year when Manfredini
begins to turn his attention from winterizing his
home to preparing his lawn and outdoor areas for
the entertaining season. Beyond the “must-have”
essentials, including a cooking appliance, a dining
and/or conversation area, and a hearth or other
heating unit, outdoor living spaces are all about
making the design feel like it is part of the home.
Two of the most important elements are to make
the space both guest-friendly and appropriate for all
kinds of weather conditions, from blue skies to
gloomy, rainy days. For the best sun protection, con
sider screened-in awnings, a garden umbrella over
an outdoor table or natural shade from vines trained
on a pergola. For cold weather comfort, the most
popular homeowner request is for a fire pit, chiminea
or portable propane heater to help extend the time
spent outdoors.
The choices these days for seating are incredible,
and limited only by budget and what you want to do.
Comfort is the only prerequisite, notes Manfredini.
Select sofas, chaise lounges, benches and other fur
nishings in sturdy materials such as wood, cast iron,
or even anodized aluminum, and in fade-resistant,
easy-to-clean outdoor fabrics. Also, look for do-it
yourself furnishings with attachable casters, so you
can easily move serving carts, tables and other items
to different areas of the space.
Decorative details bring interiors to life, and the
same is true of outdoor rooms. Customized sound
systems, art works and sculptures, intricate fencing
and more add personal touches. Overhead lighting
as well as lanterns, pathway lighting and candles also
set the mood.
Of course, nothing ruins the experience of the great
outdoors more than pesky bugs. For the best mosquito
control, try new Ortho “Mosquito B Gon” Hose End
that you spray on with a garden hose, or the Mosquito
Magnet torch, recommends Manfredini.
“People worry about what goes inside the outdoor
room and sometimes forget about what surrounds it,”
adds Manfredini. “The view is so important. A well
manicured lawn and beautiful landscaping are impor
tant to the overall look and feel.” He recommends
adding focal points, such as raised beds and trellises,
a fountain, a shallow pond or even an arbor.
There is an endless array of projects to tackle for
your outdoor living space. But, pros like Manfredini
know the best designs are done slowly and evolve
over time, so each year there is something new to
showcase and appreciate.
iMMI
HARDWARE MAN
Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardware’s “Helpful Hardware Man"
Q, What can I do to give my home instant curb
appeal?
X. It’s important to increase the value of your home,
while streamlining the time and expense to do so.
Here’s a short list of my favorite quick and easy
entry projects:
■ Color is a great way to personalize your home’s
exterior. Sand and then paint your front door in a
bold accent color. Even for the risk-averse this is a
great project, because if you don’t like the color,
you can change it immediately.
■ Upgrade the hardware on your front door to make
more of a statement.
■ Make your windows look new by framing them
with durable, plastic shutters that come in a variety
of different colors. The bonus: no painting, ever.
■ Add window boxes and plant seasonal flowers to
add color. Buy ready-made designs that easily
attach and can be installed in a matter of hours.
■ Create instant landscaping on your front porch.
Plant flowers in several inexpensive, faux stone
planters in various sizes, and then group them
together near the door.
Q. How can I get the best-looking lawn on the block?
A. While many Americans wait until temperatures
rise across the country, I recommend getting a head
start to make your lawn look great. Here are a few
tricks of the trade:
■ Remove winter damage by stripping your lawn of
any dead grass and debris with a power rake.
■ Put in new, 99 percent weed-free seed blends.
Then, treat the lawn to a core aerator machine that
digs up little plugs of soil, which allows the grass
to better absorb nutrients and spring back from any
winter frost.
■ Spread an early-spring fertilizer all over the grass,
especially the trouble spots, to ensure a long-lasting
beautiful lawn. Regular maintenance, such as
mowing and watering, is the key to the best lawn.